After having stomach issues for as long as I can remember and after seeing countless doctors who performed countless procedures with still no insight into what was actually wrong with me, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I decided to try and eat gluten free for 21 days. Now, three weeks without gluten was an idea that sounded more horrifying that Chinese water torture. I have always loved things like bagels, cookies, bread, pasta, and literally everything containing gluten. Before I started my gluten-free streak, I was sure that gluten is what made the world go round. But to my surprise, going gluten free didn't not kill me and was actually pretty much the same. Of course, it is like any kind-of diet. Not easy. But, it has become so beneficial to my diet and my health problems. Although the thought of trying to eat gluten free sounds scary and life ending, eating gluten free has actually been really awesome.

Gluten seems to be a new curse word added to the vocabulary of anyone who loves bread. But most of the time, people don't actually know what gluten is or what it does. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, "Gluten is a general name for proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale". Gluten is essentially the glue that holds many foods together and allows them to hold their perfect shape. Although gluten is usually found in common items like bread, pasta, pastries, cereals, and other wheat items, gluten can sometimes be found in unexpected foods like soy sauce and salad dressings. Truthfully, one of the most interesting things about eating gluten free is how aware you become about what you are putting into your body. Checking labels and Googling ingredients becomes second nature because you have to be careful about what has and doesn't have gluten.

So if gluten is so delicious, why would I want to consider going gluten free? I was also very skeptical, but I figured that if there was even a chance of it helping me with my stomach problems, I should give it a shot. But going gluten free has many other health benefits. It has helped people with digestion issues, abdominal pain, head aches, bloating, cramping, and even fatigue. After trying gluten free for only three days, I noticed a huge difference, something that prescription after prescription never gave me. Sometimes taking matters into your own hands can be the simple resolve.

The big question is, how bad will it suck to give up gluten?

My honest answer is, it will be hard sometimes, but it will also be worth it. I didn't realize the amount of gluten free options in the grocery store until I actually went looking. From gluten free bread, crackers, muffins. donuts, bagels, pasta, salad dressings, and literally everything you can think of, there is a gluten free substitute for your favorite gluten filled food. Although it is a game of constantly checking labels, it isn't that bad. The breads and foods taste the same, just with a different type of flour or mix. The hardest thing that I have found is eating out or eating fast food. It is hard not to sound pretentious and annoying while asking, "Is this gluten free?" But, you do what you have to do to help yourself out. The food tastes just as good and is exactly the same, minus all the gluten.

All in all, for anyone experiencing abdominal pain of excessive headaches, or any other symptoms of Celiac, Irriatable Bowel Syndrome, or gluten intolerance, I would highly suggest taking matters into your own hands and trying to eat gluten free for at least twenty-one days. You never know what one thing could help your issues until you try it. It has immensely helped me and I'm so glad I did it. Although it can be hard at times, going gluten free could really help you get back to living a more normal and predictable life. Stop dealing with your symptoms and take charge. Give gluten free a try.